Chow to produce ‘CJ-7′ animation

Toe Yuen directs sequel to hit sci-fi comedy

Hong Kong multihyphenate Stephen Chow is gearing up to make his first animated film, a toon sequel to his hit 2008 sci-fi comedy “CJ-7,” which took $29 million in B.O. in mainland China last year.

Wong’s shingle Star Overseas Co. and state-owned China Film Group will jointly invest in the animated version of “CJ-7,” which will feature the same characters as the original movie, but with a completely new story.

Pic will be directed by Hong Kong helmer Toe Yuen, who directed the hit animation franchise “McDull,” and it will also have voiceovers by the same actors as in the original movie.

“It’s more like a sequel to ‘CJ-7′ and we will begin shooting this September. We’re not revealing the budget and Stephen Chow will executive produce,” said Ngai Tat-sum, Chow’s assistant.

Star Overseas will oversee the production and pic is scheduled to hit mainland Chinese cinemas during the Spring Festival in 2010.